ACS Welcomes You - American Community School at Beirut

ACS Welcomes You
AMERICAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL
AT
BEIRUT
Volume III; Issue 3; May 27th, 2015
This is the 3rd newsletter compiled by the ACS Welcoming Committee. We hope that you
have found them useful and are getting excited about moving to Beirut to join us at ACS.
If you have any questions you can ask your assigned buddy or you can e-mail Jocelyne
(jdiabbitar@acs.edu.lb) or Becky (rnaughton@acs.edu.lb) and we will do our best to
address them in our final newsletter in June.
Lebanon in Pictures
ACS Welcomes You
Let’s Learn Some Lebanese Arabic
Greetings
Hello
Marhaba
Nice to meet you
Tsharrafna
Good bye
Mah es salameh
Thank you
Shukran
How are you?
Kifak (m), Kifik (fem)
Conversation
How much is this?
Adday heyda
Please take me to…
Min fadlak (m) Min fadlik (fem)
khidny aal (m) khideeny aal (fem)
I live in Hamra
Beity bil Hamra
Leave me alone
Trekneh (m) Trekeeneh (fem)
I love Beirut
Bheb Beirut
I want
Baddeh
I don’t want
Ma Baddeh
I work at ACS
Ana beshteghel bil ACS
What is your number?
Shu rakmak (m) Shu rakmik (fem)
Why
Lesh
What
Shoo
Hurry
Yalla
A little bit
Shwai
Wafa Kays, one of our Arabic teachers, has been offering
Arabic classes for teachers after school. If you are interested
in learning Lebanese Arabic that may be an option you may
want to consider during your time at ACS.
ACS Welcomes You
Safety in Beirut
Now that you’ve decided to join us at ACS, you’ve probably been asked this question by others and are
possibly wondering yourself. The initial answer to this question is yes, Beirut is a safe city. But that alone
isn’t enough, because complex questions require multi-layered responses.
Ras Beirut, Hamra, Ein el Mreisseh
As you already know, all overseas hires will reside within walking distance of the school. Ras Beirut, Hamra,
and Ein el Mreisseh are the three areas of the city where our school housing is located and all are within 15
minutes of the school by foot. All of these areas are high-end residential areas of the city with shops,
grocery stores, and restaurants nearby. All three areas are highly pedestrian and are considered safe for
pedestrian traffic both day and night. When going out late at night, it is recommended that you go out in
pairs, which is prudent advice in any major city.
Transportation
Because of the number and variety of local shops within walking distance of your apartment and the
school, teachers generally do not purchase cars. Taxis are also readily available both day and night.
Company taxis are considered the safest and most reliable. They can be booked both day and night by
calling the company; most will give you a rate upon request, which can save you the hassle of bargaining
when you get in the taxi. Some teachers find a taxi driver that they like and will use one driver for their
transportation needs. Drivers will pass you their business card upon request.
There are many non-affiliated taxis in Beirut. Fares are negotiable upon entering the taxi and need to be
established before you embark on your journey to avoid undue stress and arguing upon arrival to your
destination. You’ll find that a standard taxi ride will cost you 10,000 Lebanese Lira, which is about $6.70.
One needs to be cautious about using unaffiliated taxis or a ‘service’, which is a shared taxi ride with other
customers, as some robberies have been reported by passengers in non-affiliated taxis. Luckily no school
personnel have had major troubles, but it is something you’ll want to be aware of. You can also take a
service taxi which is a taxi that is shared with other passengers going the same way that you are. These are
very cheap and cost 2,000 lira ($1.25).
Buses are also available and run on weekdays and Saturdays and you can take a bus for 1,000 lira, although
it may take some time to figure out where the bus stops are, as it is not a set schedule.
Exploring Beirut and Lebanon
Lebanon has so much to offer from skiing and hiking, to thousands of years of history to uncover in ruins
that are located throughout the country. While touring and experiencing the country is an exciting way to
spend your free time, it is imperative that you are aware of the current political situations happening in the
region when you are planning your outings. Just like in any major city in the world, there are certain parts
of the city (and country) that you should not visit. This is no different than living in Los Angeles, Chicago, or
Washington D.C. Most have areas that you should not visit for safety and security reasons. Upon arriving,
fellow teachers and staff members can advise you on your travel plans, so that you avoid any unneeded
stress.
If you are thinking of purchasing a car there are several new and used options available.
Gas prices and maintenance are comparable to those in the West.
ACS Welcomes You
Registering with your Embassy
Because of the fluid political climate in the region, you may want to register with your local embassy upon
arrival, so you can receive warden messages and updates from your department of state.
Presence of Police and Military Soldiers
Depending on where you are coming from, the police and military presence in Beirut and throughout the
country may take you by surprise. Armored military vehicles, soldier transports and policemen with
automatic weapons are common and should not alarm you. It is part of everyday life and does not
represent a threat.
“As I tell anyone who wants to know what life is like in Beirut, my family and I feel lucky to be here. Beirut is
a wonderful city full of charm and charisma. We enjoy walking the streets shopping at local shops and
eating from all the different restaurants and stalls we find on our journeys. The key to being safe while
working and living in Beirut is to be smart and ask about destinations before venturing out.” ACS Teacher
Safety in Beirut as a Single Female
“I have lived in more than a dozen countries, and can genuinely say that I feel very safe in Beirut, more so
than the American cities I’ve lived in, such as Brooklyn and Philadelphia. There is very little crime here,
largely due to the closely-knit neighborhoods. I’ve enjoyed getting to know all of the shop owners in my
community, who kindly look after my dog and me and chat with us on our daily walks. However, it is still a
city and of course common street sense should be followed, especially late at night.” - Jesse Schlabach
“As a single female, I have been so pleasantly surprised to experience that my lifestyle was not impaired in
the least upon moving to Lebanon. I still get to run at 5 in the morning, walk home late in the evenings on
my own and make connections with people that I meet after knowing just a short while. I can still dress as
fashionably as I want, especially since Beirut is the fashion capital of the Middle East! The people of this
country are warm, welcoming, and incredibly respectful. With this said, I will say that I am vigilant of what I
say publicly. I find it is important to be as respectful of the culture as they are of me. All in all, I continue to
live my very independent life as a woman here in Beirut.”- Aisia Casanova
ACS Welcomes You
Sending Mail to Lebanon
The local mailing address to receive mail is:
American Community School at Beirut
67 Nigeria Street
Jal el Bahr 2035-8003
Beirut, Lebanon
OR
American Community School at Beirut
P.O. Box 11-8129
Riad El Solh 1107-2260
Beirut, Lebanon
This will get delivered to ACS P.O. Box.
We check the P.O. Box 2 to 3 times a week.
The school is not responsible for lost mail.
You may forward your mail to either of the
following addresses, as it is not advisable to
have it delivered to your apartment.
You may use the ACS NY office address for
important mail such as bank statements,
financial statements etc. Only small (5"x 9”)
light weight (up to 2 oz.) envelopes are
forwarded weekly via courier to Beirut.
Please note: Bulk mail, parcels, catalogues,
pamphlets, will not be forwarded.
American Community School
3 Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, 8th floor
New York
NY 10017-2303
USA
ACS Welcomes You
Banking in Beirut
The banks will be coming in to the school on one day. Instead of new hires going to the banks to
open up accounts, the representatives will bring to school the needed papers for the new hires
to fill out on a specific sign up date that will be announced. On the sign up day, different rooms
will be assigned for bank representatives to allow for the new hires to go in and fill in the
necessary papers needed for opening an account at the bank of their choice. Please note that
this can be a frustrating process and the setting up of accounts takes much longer for some
than it does setting up an account in the US. Please be patient and report any issues to Nada
Aoun.
Some of the banks most teachers use are HSBC, Bank Audi, BLOM Bank, and Bank Med.
We recommend you check out the banks websites so it will be easier for you when you arrive.
Important Health Information
I would like to explain to you briefly certain health concerns you may have before coming to
Lebanon. ACS has two infirmaries run by two full time RNs and fully equipped with OTC
medications, first aid supplies and emergency equipment if the need arises.
As you may have heard from Jocelyne (our HR chairperson), all ACS employees are insured with
a private insurance company serving them and their family members or dependents for
sicknesses and injuries.
Who are the ACS doctors?
The school health insurance company provides ACS with two Family Medicine physicians from
the American University of Beirut – Medical Center who serve us daily according to a preplanned schedule. These doctors can provide you with medical treatment on campus, requests
for lab tests and when needed refer you to a specialist.
ACS Welcomes You
If I am on a chronic medication how can I renew and fill out my prescription?
You need to schedule an appointment to see the ACS doctor and tell him/her about your
condition so that he/she will note it in your medical file and a renewal of prescription will be
issued at the beginning of each month. Please send the names of any medication you are taking
to Nada Halawi so she can tell you in advance if it can be found in Lebanon.
If I have a chronic medical condition, what can I do?
If you have a medical condition, make sure you get a full medical report from your Health Care
Provider before coming to Beirut. It should explain your medical condition and any chronic
medications you are taking.
It is advisable that all new comers schedule upon arrival an appointment with our doctor for
preliminary medical checkup and health history.
I have a health emergency after school hours. What can I do?
Call the school nurse and inform her about your condition who in turn will direct you to the
appropriate channels.
When is the ACS doctor available at school?
Each doctor has specific schedule he or she works on. You can check out the schedule on the
doctor’s bulletin board to make an appointment.
What are the medical resources that we use?
We have several hospitals around ACS area that we use for emergency treatment, hospitalizations
and/or laboratory services.
Upon your arrival, you will receive some more info about these hospitals and labs for your use.
What medical tests will be taken on arrival?
-
Please Note that the Ministry of Labor requires the following medical tests from working Foreigners
and the school will assist with these tests:
HIV/AIDs
Malaria
Syphilis
Cholera
TB
Chest X-Ray
ACS Welcomes You
What vaccines do I need to take before I come to Lebanon?
For children, follow the recommendation of your primary health care provider and the details
below.
For Adults: Vaccination and Immunization
For immunization recommendations, ACS follows the guidelines of the American University of Beirut Medical Center, Pediatric Department, which is based on the American Pediatric Association and
the Lebanese Ministry of Health.
Immunization Requirement
Children 3 to 6 years should have received the following
3 doses of Hepatitis B
5 doses of DPT (Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis)
4 doses of Hib (Haemophilus influenza type b)
4 doses of IPV (Polio)
2 doses of MMR (Mumps, Measles, Rubella)
2 doses of Varicella
Influenza vaccine (yearly)
Optional
3 doses of Rotavirus
Children 7-10 years (Catch-up doses if not received earlier)
Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis)
Hep B series
Inactivated polio
MMR
Varicella
Influenza (yearly)
Optional
MCV4 (Meningococcal conjugate vaccine)
11-18 years
Tdap
Flu (yearly)
Optional
HPV (Human Papillomavirus vaccine 3 doses for boys and girls)
4 doses of PCV (Pneumococcal)
Electricity outages and rationing
Beirut experiences planned power outages at least once a day. All of the apartment buildings and
the school have generators that will turn on within 30 seconds to 5 minutes after the outage. To
keep track of these outages you can download this app:
Apple Store: https://itunes.apple.com/lb/app/beirut-electricity/id434106511?mt=8
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.samham.electricity&hl=en
ACS Welcomes You
Telecom in Lebanon
Mobile Services
Lebanon’s mobile telephone operators:
Alfa ( http://www.alfa.com.lb/ )
Touch ( http://www.touch.com.lb )
Though services and tariffs are almost the same, Touch lines are more popular in Lebanon. They
gained their good reputation because their network has been more reliable, in addition to some
extra services. For example Touch offers SMS roaming. When you travel you can send and receive
SMS text messages without the need to change anything in your plan. Just carry your phone with
you and benefit from the feature.
Mobile phone lines are either prepaid or postpaid. Prepaid lines are more practical because they
are easier to operate.
In order to buy a new prepaid line you need to have a copy of ID or passport.
Cost of a new line, either Alfa or Touch is $25 with a credit value of $ 22.73. It can be purchased
(recharge vouchers too) from any mobile reseller store. Such stores are on every street in town.
Postpaid lines
Any prepaid line can be changed into a postpaid one, however there is some paper work involved,
and the monthly payment is different.
What’s required (for foreign residents):





Valid Passport or Personal Identity Card or Residence Permit
Deposit of $100 in case of line migration or $50 Deposit in case of new postpaid line.
Proof of Residence or Letter of guarantee or deposit of $100 per line or Residence
Certificate stamped by the mayor.
N.B: If you have a residence permit, there will be no need for any Proof of Residence or its
equivalent.
Payment method: automatic direct debit at the bank is obligatory.
A contract to be completed and signed (for Touch lines)
There’s a monthly flat fee of $15 for postpaid lines, along with other fees for optional services.
For more details please check Alfa and Touch websites.
ACS Welcomes You
Mobile phones
If you are planning to bring your favorite phone with you please make sure to get a factory
unlocked phone. When bought with a plan from your home city provider the phone is locked to
that provider.
It is technically possible to unlock such phones (process known as Jailbreak for iPhones, or rooting
for Android phones). However such procedure is not recommended because it’s illegal, the
software used is illegal too, and the phone’s performance is impaired.
Also please make sure your phone supports GSM frequency band 900 which is used in Lebanon.
Mobile phone prices are more expensive in Lebanon. Yet it is possible to find good offers or
bargains from street stores rather than buying from certified vendors.
Internet
Each ACS apartment in the new Faculty Building is supplied with Internet connection for a monthly
fee of $40. There is Wi-Fi coverage in your apartment so you can use any mobile device.
Other apartments have a basic (2 megabits) ADSL internet connection from a local internet service
provider, including a wireless router. Wireless coverage in your apartment will vary, based upon
the configuration of concrete walls and the shape of the apartment. The Internet account should
be refilled every month, either by purchasing $28 refill cards widely available at local stores, or set
up automatic withdrawals from your credit card or bank account. ACS Business Office will help you
with filling out the bank forms in Arabic. The following link has options for Internet plan upgrades.
http://www.thisiscyberia.com/services/consumer/adsl.asp?menu=2
Please keep in mind that Internet in Lebanon is not the same quality as in North America or other
countries. You will find that Internet in Beirut is slower and more expensive. Also, accounts are
limited in terms of the amount of online traffic used per month (residential ADSL users only).